3/31/15
LOTD: Orange Makeup!
March 2015 Favorites!
Hey guys! For whatever reason (laziness?) I don't think I did a February favorites, so I definitely wanted to do a March favorites. I have been using/loving/enjoying so many things and I just really want to share them with you. Most of the things I'll be talking about are beauty related, but at the end I will have some other stuff as well. As usual I will link what I can find and what is still available. I always have stuff that I love that I'm using and stuff that is worthy of mentioning in my 'favorites'. But this month it's different, the stuff I am talking about today I passionately love. I am crazyyyyy about these things and stand behind them 100%.
My beauty related favorites this month can pretty much be summed up in one word: ORANGE. It's my favorite in makeup, especially in Spring and Summer. It's obvious I love makeup, hello, lol. But nothing gets me as excited as orange makeup, my pulse literally quickens. I love it SO much.
Pictured left to right:
MAC Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach, (limited edition Toledo collection)
Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Palette, $37.99 (specifically the Sin City shade)
Nars Taj Mahal Blush, $30
If you want a true orange blush, Taj Mahal is the perfect selection. People, this stuff is GORGEOUS! If you are a woman of color you seriously need this in your life. There are no glitters or shimmers in this whatsoever, but there is this beautiful golden sheen that is complete perfection. Couldn't love this more.
MAC releases this beautiful blush from time to time in limited edition collections, but I can't figure out why they don't have it in their permanent line. So many people love this, and for good reason. This is not as bright as the Nars blush, but it is in the same color family. When I use this I just get a really pretty kind of glowy peach look. Sooooo pretty.
This picture doesn't do this palette justice, sorry about that. This was my favorite palette of 2014 and while I love every single color in the palette, this month I have been using the shade Sin City soooooo much. It's described as a shimmery golden apricot/golden medium orange. That is the perfect description, I LOVE pairing this with my coral-ish orange-ish blushes and lip colors.
If you seen my What's In My Bag blog post then you have already seen me mention this lipstick. This particular Guerlain lipstick is one of my favorite formulas. They feel good on your lips, look great on your lips, and the mirrored compact they are housed in is just perfect. So fancy and girly, I adore this lipstick. Gipsy is a deep tangerine that is perfect for my orange-obsession, and it is the only lipstick I carry in my bag for Spring and Summer. (In the Fall and Winter I replace it with Gemma, which is a neutral rosey-mauve shade).
Pictured:
Maybelline Master Conceal, $8.99
Some of my favorites are in the category I affectionately call my beating-a-dead-horse-favorites. Items in this category typically include Maybelline's The Rocket mascara, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders, MAC Emphasize - things that I use every single time I wear makeup that will continue to be in my rotation as long as I am living, lol. Those are kind of a given, and I hate mentioning the same thing over and over and over again. As far as foundations go, I basically have only been using the Covergirl Ready, Set Gorgeous and Make Up For Ever. This month it has been the Covergirl one, hands down. It's just so good for controlling oil and as the weather gets warmer I get oilier, and this has been a God-send. Maybelline Master Conceal is a great concealer. I don't use this under my eyes, although lots of people say it works great (I've just never tried it). I use this on some of my rosacea/broken capillaries and on some hyperpigmentation. Covers great without looking cakey, which is exactly what I want. I don't always use eyeliner on my upper eyelid, but when I do I have been reaching for my Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper. Just a great, basic liquid eyeliner pen that is super easy to use and stays on great.
As far as my most used palette this month, this was a total no-brainer. It's the Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palette in Soul. Stila makes some of the BEST eye shadow in my opinion, and this palette looks like it was custom made for me. When I do my eye makeup there are certain things I want: matte/satin light browbone highlight shadow, matte midtone crease shades, shimmery lid colors, and deep/dark shadows to smoke things out. This palette has all of those things and more. I have several shades to choose from for whatever look I want, this is one of my favorite palettes of life. PERFECT. (They have 4 palettes in this collection, one that's all matte, one that has brighter colors, etc. Something for everyone).
This palette has the cult favorite Kitten in it, as well as a lot of their other really popular shadows. Loooveeeeee this.
For perfume I have been reaching for my Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet. Such a sweet fragrance and perfect for Spring. My mom bought me this for Christmas, it's the BIG bottle. This stuff will last forever!
I am continually buying/trying/using new products. In order for something to make it into my favorites it has to be something I have reached for repeatedly that month, and this month I had to include the Tree Hut DD Cream and the St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I have mentioned Tree Hut products on my blog numerous times in the past and how much I LOVE them. This lotion is great for warmer months because it has an spf 20, and the scent, Raspberry Macadamia, is just delicious. I have used the Apricot Scrub for yearsssssssssssss, and it is just the one I keep going back to. This stuff is chalked FULL of scrubbies, it's like washing your face with sandpaper....but in a good way of course, lol. Out of the dozens I've tried, this is still the best.
I've said it no less than a hundred times, EVERY time I wash my hair I ALWAYS put a dab of my Chi Silk Infusion paired with a creamy/lotion type product in my hair. Almost always it's my Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment. This month I drug out my Alterna Hemp Organics Thickening Compound (unsure if this is still made or available?). I love this because it has UVA and UVB protection for your hair. When I put this on I rub a little on my scalp as well (I've had melanoma so you can never be too safe). Great to use all Summer.
Rebecca Minkoff 5 Zip "The Rocker" MAC, (no longer in production)
For similar see here.
As we transition from the cold Winter months to the warmer Spring months, finding the right shoes can be quite a task. Here in Kentucky the days might start off cold and then warm up in the early to mid afternoon. It can snow one day and then be 70 degrees the following (no joke). A pair of really nice leather ballet flats can be so handy during this time! They can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion, and they look good with just about anything. You have to pick and choose what is worth investing in, and to me a classic pair of ballet flats is a wise investment. I have had these for at least a couple of years, and while they do show some wear and tear, they still look really good. I have EXTREMELY high arches in my feet, and most ballet flats don't work for me. My foot literally comes up out of them. But where these have the oh-so-comfy elastic band that holds them on, I don't have any issues with these. Once I wear these out I will definitely replace them. I don't ever want to be without these!
Another really great shoe option is a pair of canvas tennis shoes. Again, it can be chilly in the morning/warm in the evening and these kinda work in any climate. When it's not really warm enough for sandals but it's too warm for boots, these just fit the bill. My favorite? The adorable polka-dot Kate Spade Keds. I don't worry about matching these to anything, they kind of just go with anything. So cute and so comfortable, highly recommend!
And lastly I thought I would mention a few things for the house. My mom actually bought me this camper bird feeder and rain boot planter. How cute are these!!??!!
And of course I had to mention a seasonally appropriate candle. This is one of the Signature Soy candles available at Target and it smells so nice! Candles are just a great, simple way to switch things up as the seasons change to make your house feel more festive.
Hope you guys enjoyed! Let me know what things you guys are loving!
3/26/15
Best In Hair Care: Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask!
Hey guys! I recently picked up another tub of my FAVORITE hair mask, and it occurred to me that I don't know if I have ever mentioned this on my blog. It's the Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask. I always get this at Ulta, as I'm really not sure where else this is sold.
You get a 7oz tub for $32. All you need is a little dab of this, I have super long hair and a tub of this lasts me for a long time! It's a rarity to find a product that really makes a difference in your hair, but this one totally does. It's. Just. So. Good.
What else can I say?
This mask contains hydrolyzed silk, and I have found that my hair always LOVES this. This mask makes my hair SO silky without making it flat to my head. I don't know how it does it, it just does.
In case it is important to you, this doesn't have any of the bad stuff in it: parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, artificial colors, and they don't test on animals.
This mask is not the thickest/heaviest product I've ever felt, but it is one of the best you'll find for moisturizing and softening your hair. I use this about once a week, really concentrating it on my ends. I have been out of it for a few months, so now that I have it again I find myself wanting to use it every single time I wash my hair!
When I ordered mine I was able to get a free gift with purchase, the full-size Monoi Repairing Split End Sealer. This deal is still going on, so check it out either at your local Ulta or on their website.
I actually hadn't ever tried this before and I LOVE it! My hair just really responds well to these Monoi products. You can use this on wet or dry hair (I've used it on both) and you just rub a pea-sized amount on your ends and you're done. I despise products that I can feel in my hair, if it's the least bit tacky or sticky I will notice it. I can't feel this at all, except for the fact that it just leaves my ends really soft and smooth. Would definitely purchase this when this is empty.
The first sample I got was the Laura Geller Baked Liquid Radiance Foundation. I haven't tried this yet but I am going to. I'm a little scared of any sort of foundation with 'radiance' in the title, as I have really oily skin and need more mattifying products.
I have a full-size bottle of this and use it all the time. This will definitely be used!
I got a little packet that contained Hask Argan Oil Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner, and the Redken Extreme Length Sealer.
I haven't tried the Redken product yet, but I did use the shampoo and conditioner. They were really nice and made my hair feel lovely! The shampoo is a typical paraben free shampoo (not much lather or suds) and even though I really enjoy that, this shampoo still felt really nice. I would definitely buy this if I were at an actual Ulta store.
Hope this post gives you some ideas if you are in the market for some serious hair care. The Monoi mask has been a favorite of mine, and it is so nice to have it again!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend <3
3/24/15
Drugstore Candle Comparison!
Hey guys! I have picked up a few candles over the past couple of weeks and now that I have had a chance to try them all, I wanted to tell you what I think of them. I found 2 of them at Walmart and I got the other one at Target.
Pictured left to right:
Burt's Bees Tropical Mango Soy Candle, $8.97 (11oz)
Better Homes and Gardens Exotic Coconut Quince, $3.97 (13oz)
Signature Soy Coconut Container Candle in Sun Kissed, $10 (15.2oz)
To be straight and to the point, my favorite of the 3 is actually the Signature Soy candle from Target in the Sun Kissed flavor. As you probably already know, soy candles are not always the most fragrant candles. I've had some in the past that I couldn't smell whatsoever. This one is very flavorful, but still has that really clean burn that I love from soy candles. It's just a light/clean/tropical scent that is just lovely. Before I bought this one I was really enjoying the Burt's Bees candle in Tropical Mango. I still love that one, but the scent of the Sun Kissed candle is just a little better to me. I don't always love mango scents, they can smell kind of like rotten fruit? Do you know what I mean? lol. Mango is definitely not a candle everyone is going to love, but done right I like it. I really enjoy the Burt's Bees scent, but hands down I like the Target candle better. The Target one has a burn time of 50 hours which is crazy, BBW candles only have a burn time of 25-40 hours. Sorry to say my Burt's Bees one is already gone, but I did enjoy it while it lasted. My least favorite of the bunch is the Better Homes and Garden one. The scent of this candle is delicious, it's just super soft and barely noticeable. All of these candles are great to burn together, as their scents marry quite nicely. You walk in your house and it's like your in a tropical paradise without it being too coconut-y or anything. All of them are light/crisp/tropical in their own way. The Better Homes and Garden candle is the cheapest in terms of price per ounce, and the Burt's Bees one is the most expensive price per ounce. Best bang for your buck is the Target candle in my opinion, mine was on sale for $8 and with the 50 hour burn time you really can't beat it. They have several scents in this collection, so I'm sure there would be something for everyone. Check them out if you haven't!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
3/20/15
March 2015 Small Drugstore Haul: Target And Walmart!
Hey guys! Here's a few new things I recently picked up that I have been enjoying! Let me know what stuff you've been using and loving!!!
This is the hair color that I use. I don't color my whole head, I use this just on my roots to cover gray. What I like best about this hair color is it is reusable, you don't throw away what you have left, you keep it and can reuse it when you need it. So handy!
I cannot keep hair ties, they vanish like nothing I have ever seen before. The regular ones are so tight they give me a headache, that is, if I don't break them trying to get them around my ponytail. These 'thick hair' ones have always been my favorite, so much more comfortable to wear.
My FAVORITE mascara. This is probably my 10th tube of this stuff, love, love, love it!
I. Love. Orange. Lip-products. Period.
Orange obsessssssed here, people! This Revlon HD Citrine gloss is uh-mazing.
This goes on pretty opaque, and it glistens with these itty-bitty golden shimmers. You can't feel the shimmers at all, this is super comfortable on the lips. This is one of those glosses that while it would look great paired over top of a lipstick, it is totally fine on it's own. Couldn't love this more.
I love seasonal candles and while I mostly use BBW ones, I also really enjoy ones from Walmart and Target as well. Right now all of the stores have such great ones for Spring! This Exotic Coconut Quince smells so nice!
If you follow me on Facebook then you are probably already aware of my love for this candle by Burt's Bees that I found at Walmart. Just a nice, clean, fruity scent that is perfect as we transition into the warmer months.
It's a 2 wick candle.
I bought the matching wax melts and am almost out of them!
I picked up some Better Homes and Gardens wax melts as well: a couple of Cheers To That which has Mango Caipirinha and Amaretto Sunset, and one Sweet Bakery Treats which has Raspberry Cookies and Cinnamon.
I really like these, but I enjoy the scent of the Burt's Bees ones a little better.
Soy candles just burn so much cleaner, and I really like them. I bought this one in Sun Kissed from Target. It smells sooooooooooooo good!
2 wicks.
This candle is 15.2oz and has a burn time up to 50 hours. I wanted to compare that to a BBW candle....
Hopefully you can see this, I know the writing is small. A BBW 3-wick candle is 14.5 oz and has a burn time between 25-45 hours. One BBW candle retails for $22.50, but I almost always get them when they are 2/$22 (which makes them around $11). The Target candle was only $8, so much more affordable and it will last longer.
A trip to Target is never complete without a set of pj's. (I am addicted to pajamas if you didn't know). I have numerous sets of the Gilligan & O'Malley pj's, they are some of my favorites. This set is a short sleeved button up top and drawstring waist pants. As always, these are SOOOOOO soft and will be nice and cool as the weather continues to warm up. I also love the green color.
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